Baling press



S. W. THOMAS BALING PRESS March 11, 1941.

v Filed Aug. 23,- 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet ,1

- A TTORNEYS.

March 11, 1941. s. w. THOMAS BALING PRES S 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug.25, 1939 151,65 i6 WZfiOITldS INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS. v

S. W. THOMAS .BALING PRESS March 11, 1941.

6 Sheets-Sheet 3 .9 6 6 WWIHQS'INVENTOR.

Filed Aug. 25, 1959 A TTORNEY S.

March 11, 1941.

s. w. THOMAS BALING PRESS Filed Aug. 23, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 4,SlbSiGWT/Zfl/MINVENTOR.

v BY

ATTORNEYS.

March 11, 1941. M 2,234,419

BALING PRESS Filed Aug. ?3, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 11, 1941 UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

' and eficient means whereby the movement of the jack is multiplied tothe follower during the transmissionof power from one to the other, itthus being possible, with a relatively short movement of the jack, toeffect an extensive movement of the-follower in the press.

A further object is to provide a press of this character built towithstand excessive strain and which has simple but efiicient meanscombined therewith for reducing friction during the operation of thepress.

A further object is to provide improved means for facilitating theplacing and removal of the tiewires used in the formation of the bale.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention hasbeen shown.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of the press.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the follower and itsguides in side elevation.

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal section through the discharge end ofthe press and through the follower, the adjacent portion of theoperating means being shown in plan.

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the other end portion of the press.

Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section through the structure shownin Figure '4, the follower operating means being shown in sideelevation.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the opposed ends of thepress and the mechanism therein.

Figure 8 is an elevation of the front end of the press.

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9, Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a section on line Ill-Ii], Figure 7. Figure 11 is a sectionon line ll-l'l, Figure 6.

Figure 12 is a section on line l2l2, Figur e 6.

obliquely disposed. braces I l Figure 13 is an elevation of the rear ordelivery end of the press.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, A designates thehousing or body portion of the press. This is entirely of'metalconstruction and includes parallel longitudinal angle beams I which arejoined at the sides by parallel vertical angle beams ZprQjectingupwardly and downwardly beyond the beams I. These side beams2 have theirupper projecting ends joined by top cross beams 3 while bottom anglebeams extend across the structure and connect the lower projecting ,endsof the side beamsas shown as 4. Two of the top cross .beams are widelyspaced to receive between them adoor 5 havingcross-beams 6 whicharepivotally mounted on a rod 7 carried by the widely spaced beams whichhave been indicated at 3. This door is' adapted to be securely held inclosed position by fingers or latch pins 8 which are offset from a rod 9and extended parallel therewith. This rod isslidably mounted at its endsin the beams 3' and by thrustingthe rod in one direction the pins orfingers 8 will be moved into'registering openings in the door beams Band those side beams 3 adjacent to the ends thereof.

When therod 9 is slid in the oppositedirection,

however, the pins or fingers 8 will be withdrawn from engagement withtheparts 3' and 6 so that the door thus can be swung upwardly to openposition.

The top of the housing .or body A is closed between the outlet endthereof and the adjacent beam 3 by a top plate Ill, The space betweenthe other beam 3' and the front end of the housing or body is open,however, but is provided with secured to the upper longitudinal beams I.

Theside beams 2 atthe delivery end of the body or housing Aiare.connected by afpivot rod 82 on which are mounted parallel angle beams l3connected to a plate |4so as toform adoor for the .delivery end. Theupperends of these beams l3. are cut away to form open corner notches I5.and to the inner. surface .of plate I4 are joined spaced strips l6providing wire-[receiving grooves I lbetween them.

A latch in the formofan elongated looped rod l8 is mountedat its-opposedends in brackets I!) carried by the ends of the beam 3 nearest theoutlet end of the housing or body A and this loop,

undernorinal conditions rests in the notches [5 so .as to hold the gatesecured in closed position.

Theends of the grooves "lLLwhen'the gate is provided betweenlongitudinal superposed plates 2| which are attached to the inner sidesof the beams 2 and form the side walls of the body or housing A. Theseplates do not extend throughout the length of the housing but are spacedat one end from the front or power end of the press so as to leaveopenings at the sides as indicated at 22.

The bottom of the housing or body A is closed by a bottom plate 23resting on the bottom crossbeam 4 and extending throughout the length ofthe press.

At the power end of the housing or body A the structure is provided withangle beams 24 having flanges extended toward each other as shownparticularly in Figure 5 and these side beams 24 cooperate with adjacentside beam's'25 to hold a thrust beam 26 which is ext'endedtransverselyof the body or housing between the beams 24 and 25, and approximatelymidway between the top and bottom of the housing. Thrust beam 26 isextended through end flanges 21 extending from a base plate 28 which isthus held to the thrust beam and on this base plate is mounted ahydraulic jack of any suitable type indicated generally at 29 and whichis firmly anchored to the beam in any suitable manner. This jack isadapted to be actuated by a hand lever 30 extending through the sideopening 22.

The thrust beam 26 and the beams 25 engaged thereby can be reenforced byobliquely disposed braces 3| located in the openings 22.

Slidably mounted on the side beams 2 at the discharge end of the housingor body A are angle strips 32. These strips are formed with short slots33 in which are located guide lugs 34 extending from the beams 2 onwhich the strips are mounted. These slidable strips are on those sidesof the beams 2 facing the power end of the body or housing A and each ofthem is provided, adjacent to its upper end, with a slot 35 throughwhich the adjacent end portion of loop I8 is extended. These endportions of loop 18 are extended through elongated slots 31 in the beams2.

Obviously when the loop 18 is in its normal or lowered position, it isseated in the notches l5 as heretofore explained for the purpose offastening the end gate in closed position. By pulling the loop 18upwardly so that it will swing within the slots 31, however, said loopwill move about its pivotal connection with bracket 19 and will pullupwardly on the upper end portions'of the slidable strips 32. Theseslidable strips are provided in their inner sides with angular slots 38which extend into the strips from their longitudinal edges and thenceupwardly. When the strips 32 are in their raise-d positions, the openends of the slots will register with the slots 20 and the grooves [1.However when the strips 32 are moved downwardly, the open ends of theslots 38 will move below and out of register with slots 20 and grooves11 so that only the upper inner end portions of the slots 38 willregister with the grooves 11. In Figure 2 the strips 32 have been shownin their lowered positions as last explained.

The follower used in the housing'or body A has been indicated at B andis of new construction. This follower includes a head 39 and that faceof the head nearest the gate at the delivery end of the housing isprovided with plates 40 spaced apart to form grooves 4| which registerwith the slots 20. Parallel angle beams are extended toward the powerend of the press from the head 39 adjacent to the lower corners thereof,

these beams 42 being connected by a bottom plate 43. A pair of parallelspaced angle beams is extended toward the power end of the press fromeach side of the head 39 adjacent to the center thereof and cooperate toform a guideway or track. Sid-e plates 45 connect the angle beams 42 tothe lower angle beams 4-4 while the upper angle beams 44 are connectedby side plates 46 to parallel angle beams 41 extending toward the powerend of the press from the upper corner portions of the head 39. Theseangle beams 41, in turn are connected by transverse and obliquelydisposed cross-strips 48 which serve to brace the structure.

Angle beams 49 are located on head 39 and at the outer sides of thebeams 42, 44 and 41, and

constitute side connections and reenforcing means. To each of theseangle strips 49 are joined upper and lower brackets 50 each of whichcarries a pair of anti-friction rollers 5| and 52. The jrollers 5i bearupwardly and downwardly upon the upper and lower angle beams Irespectively, while the rollers 52 bear outwardly against the sideplates 20 adjacent to these beams. Thus the head of the follower is heldproperly centered within the housing or body A.

Brackets 53 are secured .to the center of the head 39 and pivotallyconnected to them is one end of a lazy-tongs 54 made up of heavy metallinks. At their points of crossing these links are connected bycross-rods 55 provided on their ends with anti-friction rollers 56arranged to travel on the guide rails or beams 44 forming the tracktherefor. Thus these pivotal points located where the links of thelazy-tongs cross, are all held along the longitudinal center of thepress so that they will not be able to move upwardly or downwardly outof proper alinement.

For the purpose of preventing lateral displacement of the lazy-tongs,the pivotal connections between the ends of the links are provided withcasters 51 which are adapted to travel along the inner surfaces of theplates 45 and 46, thereby constituting anti-friction means.

That end of the lazy-tongs remote from the head 39 is pivotally joinedat 58 to a carriage 59 likewise guided along the track formed by beams44, there being rollers 60 on the ends of the pivot member 58 and alsoon the'ends of another pivot member 6| joined to ithewcarriage; Thislatter pivot member is provided with pivoted cross-heads 62 above andbelow the carriage and each crosshead has its ends joined by coiledsprings 63 to the anchored base plate 28 on which'the jack 29 issecured. The slidable stem 84 of the hydraulic jack is attached tocarriage 59 by the pivot member BI and the free ends of the lazy-tongsad'- ja-cent to the carriage are equipped with casters 51 as shown inFigure '1. These free endsare connected by rods 65 or the like to'theend of a strong strap 66 extended around .thebeam' 26 and held securelyto the jack 29 in any suitable manner, as by means of an encirclingband91.

Beam 26 has guide rollers 68 joined thereto and located between thetrack beams 44 sothat that portion of the follower within thepower endof the body I will be properly supported and'centered, these rollers 58cooperating with the rollers 50 and 5| to maintain the head ofthefollower B at the correct angle to the bottom of the housing A. Y Y

At any point desired the guide rollers 69 can be arranged withinthehousing A at the sides thereof for engagement with the plates 45 and.46, thereby to hold the follower properly centered transversely.

Those-side beams of-the body or housing nearest the-feed .opening andbetween said openi and the outlet end of the press have been indicatedat 2 and they are provided on those faces nearest the door opening withangle strips 19 having slots '1! extending .thereinto and correspondingwith the slots 38 and the angle strips 32. These angle strips areadapted to slide vertically on the beams 2', being held thereto by bolts12. The angle strips 70 are normally located with the outlet ends ofslots it below the level of the slots 20. By pulling the angle stripsupwardly, however, these outlet ends can be brought into line with theslots 20.

Under normal conditions the lazytongs 54 is retracted to a positionbetween the door opening and the jack. Tie-wires to be used in holdingthe bale under compression are inserted transversely through the slots20 adjacent to the outlet end of the press while the gate is open, andas the loop 18 is in raised position these wires can be inserted intothe slots 38. The end gate is then closed and the loops I8 swungdownwardly to fasten it in place. This movement will cause strips 32 tomove downwardly, thereby holding the wires in the end portions of slots20 as shown in Figure 2.

One end of each wire is then threaded along each of the slots 29 at oneside of the press until said end is brought to a point adjacent to .andinwardly from the slide 10 and the slot H therein. The other end of eachwire is threaded along its slot 20 and is of such length as to beextensible later in the operation of the press, across the housing forattachment to the opposite end of the wire.

After the wires have been threaded along the housing as stated thematerial to be compressed is placed through the open top of the housingand into the path of the retracted plunger. The jack is then actuated byoscillating the lever 30. As the free ends of the lazy-tongs links areanchored by the rods 65, operation of the jack will cause the plunger 64to press through pivot 58 against the lazy-tongs so as to elongate it.This will cause the head 39 of the follower to compress the material inthe path thereof against the closed gate at the end of the housing andas the head 39 advances the angle beams 42, 44 .and 41 with theirconnections will also move therewith. This movement is effected with theminimum friction because of the arrangement of anti-friction rollers andcasters mounted on the lazytongs and on the follower. When the head ofthe follower reaches a point between the slotted strips 10, the longends of the tie-wires are inserted transversely of the head 39 withingrooves 4| until they emerge through slots H. Here they are joined tothe other ends of the wires so as to form complete loops about the bale,it being understood that the ends of each wire are to be drawn tightlytogether as they are fastened. Strips 19 are then lifted so as to becomereleased from the twisted wires and permit them to recede into the slots29. Thereafter loop I3 is swung upwardly. This lifts the strips 32 so asto release the engaged wires and at the same time the gate is releasedso that it can swing downwardly. By-

then again actuating the jack, the lazy-tongs will be further extendedto expel the finished bale from the press.

The lazy-tongs and the follower connected thereto are then retracted tothe initial position and the foregoing operation is repeated. This isdone by releasing the compressed fluid within the jack and allowing thesprings 63 to pull upon the lazy-tongs and, cause them to contract anddraw the head 39 toward the jack. Obviously during this action the linksor rods .65 will swing apart.

What is claimed is:

1. A baling press including a housing having a top orfeed opening-and anend or outlet opening-there being longitudinal slots in the sides of thehousing, a gate adapted to close the outlet opening, a door adapted toclose the feed opening, a follower including a head, a structureextending from the head and mounted for movement longitudinally withinthe housing, antifriction devices between said structure and thehousing, a lazy-tongs anchored adjacent to one end to the housing andconnected at its other end to the head of the follower, anti-frictionmeans between the lazy-tongs and said structure for reducing friction, ajack, and means actuated by the jack for actuating the lazy-tongs tomove the follower in one direction relative to the housing.

2. A baling press including a housing having a feed opening in the topthereof, a door for closing said opening, there being an outlet openingat one end of the housing, a gate for closing the outlet opening, afollower mounted for longitudinal movement within the housing andincluding a head and a track extending from and movable with the head, ajack anchored to the housing, a lazy-tongs pivotally connected adjacentat one end to the housing and pivotally connected at its other end tothe head of the follower, said lazy-tongs having alined pivots, adriving connection between the jack and the lazy-tongs, anti-frictionelements carried by said pivots and movable along the track, andantifriction devices carried by the lazy-tongs and operating with thetrack to hold the lazy-tongs against movement toward or from the track.

3. A baling press including a housing having afeedopening,adoortherefor, there being an outlet opening at one end of the housing, agate normally closing said outlet opening}, a followermountedformovement longitudinally of and withinthehousing, a structureextending longitudinally within thehousing and joined to and movablewith the head, said structure including opposed rails forming spacedtracks, a lazy-tongs supported within said structure and joined at oneend to the head and adjacent to its other end to the housing, saidlazy-tongs including pivot elements, anti-{friction devices carried. bythe pivot elements and movable between the rails of the track to holdthe lazy-tongs against movement in one direction relative to thehousing, anti-friction devices carried by the lazy-tongs and cooperatingwith the structure on the head for holding the lazy-tongs againstmovement in another direction relative to the housing, and a jackanchored in the housing and operatively connected to the lazy-tongs,said jack being shiftable to actuate the lazy-tongs and move the head ofthe follower toward the gate.

4. A baling press including a housing having a feed opening, a closuretherefor, there being an outlet opening at one end of the housing, agate normally closing the outlet opening, a follower movable within andlongitudinally of the housing and including a head and a structureextending from the head, said structure including opposed spaced railsproviding a track, antifriction means interposed between said structureand the housing to hold the follower centered within the housing, alazy-tongs Within said structure and extending longitudinally thereofand of the housing, said lazy-tongs being connected at one end to thehead of the follower and anchored adjacent to its other end to thehousing, said lazy-tongs including pivotal connections, rollers carriedby said connections and movable along the track to maintain theconnections alined, anti-friction devices carried by the

